Go Back

apple pie bars

Apple Pie Bars are a portable version of the familiar autumn pie. You'll love the pairing of sweet cinnamon apples baked with a perfect buttery crust!
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 40 minutes
Servings: 16
Cuisine: Chinese
Calories: 120

Ingredients
  

For the Crust
  • 1 cup unsalted butter
  • 0.33 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.33 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1.5 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2.25 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.75 tsp kosher salt
For the Filling
  • 3.5 cups apples cored and sliced
  • 3 Tbsp granulated sugar
  • 3 Tbsp cornstarch
  • 2 Tbsp light brown sugar packed
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.25 tsp cloves
  • 2 tsp lime juice juice from one lime
For the Topping
  • 1 cup old fashioned oats
  • 0.75 cup all-purpose flour
  • 0.66 cup light brown sugar packed
  • 1.5 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.5 tsp kosher salt
  • 0.75 cup unsalted butter cubed

Method
 

For the Crust
  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9x9-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly spray with baking spray. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a paddle combine butter, sugar and brown sugar. Beat on a medium speed until smooth. Add vanilla and mix to combine. Add flour and salt and mix until incorporated.
  3. Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Poke holes into the bottom of the crust, then place into the preheated oven on the center rack. Bake for 15 minutes, until lightly golden brown. Once baked, remove from the oven and place onto a wire cooling rack to cool.
For the Filling
  1. In a large mixing bowl combine sliced apples, sugar, cornstarch, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, salt and cloves. Mix until the apples are well coated.
  2. Add in lime juice and mix to combine. Pour the apple mixture onto the pre-baked crust (it can still be warm).
For the Topping
  1. In a medium sized mixing bowl combine oats, flour, brown sugar, cinnamon and salt. Add butter and mix in using a fork until crumbly in texture. (hands work well too)
  2. Spoon the topping mixture evenly over the apple filling. Place into the preheated oven on the center rack and bake for 55 minutes. Once baked, remove from the oven and place onto a wire cooling rack.
  3. Allow to cool about 10-15 minutes before serving. Or serve chilled for a delicious twist.